Audio commentary on this verse

Note 2 at Rom. 12:6: It must be remembered that Paul is not teaching on the function and administration of these seven gifts that he mentions here as he taught on the nine gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12-14. He is simply mentioning these gifts to illustrate his point that different people in the body of Christ have different positions or functions. However, there are some truths concerning these gifts that we can glean from these scriptures.

First, it needs to be pointed out that all believers can operate in the gifts listed here, but that doesn't mean that is their ministry. For instance, we can and should be able to teach others but that doesn't make us a teacher. Paul said we could all prophesy one by one (1 Cor. 14:31) but he also made it clear that we are not all called to be prophets (1 Cor. 12:29). It is definite that we should all show mercy and be a giver, but there are some people who are given a supernatural gift in these areas which Paul is describing here.

Concerning the gift of giving, Paul says that we should do our giving with simplicity (see note 7 at v. 8, p. 828). He that rules should be diligent about it (see note 8 at v. 8, p. 828), and the person who has the gift of mercy should administer it with cheerfulness.

Note 3 at Rom. 12:6: The Greek word that was translated "prophecy" here is "propheteia," which "signifies the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God" (W.E. Vine's). This originally applied to Old Testament prophets who were predicting future events, but it came to apply to any messenger who was inspired by God as he spoke. This would apply to a preacher today if he was speaking under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

This verse is saying essentially the same thing that Peter said in 1 Peter 4:11 (see Parallel Scripture on p. 828). If we are going to prophesy, let's do it according to the ability that God gave us; the measure of faith (see note 16 at v. 3, p. 826).